Red roses, assorted chocolates, and decorative hearts line the shelves in Walgreens, the Village Marketplace, and Target.
For singles out there who dream of having a Valentine, it’s almost a slap in the face, reminding them just how single they are.
Valentine’s Day is particularly special for couples around the world, but what about those who are not in a relationship? Is Valentine’s Day also for single people? Some Seton Hall singles chime in.
Jimmy John Ting, a freshman biology major, said he usually does not acknowledge Valentine’s Day.
“With my single history…it’s kind of just a day for me,” Ting said.
Similarly, Iñaki Ruiz, a freshman business major, lives the day like any other. This year, Ruiz plans to study, chill by himself, and hang out with his friends.
Opposed to ignoring the romantic festivities, Eva Jurcevic, a freshman economics major, finds Valentine's Day to be the perfect time to celebrate love in all its forms.
“It is a day just to appreciate the love that you have in your life, whether that be friendship, family, [or] romantic love,” Jurcevic said.
One type of love that is popular on Valentine’s Day amongst singles like Manuela Amoah, a freshman biology major, is self-love.
“Self-love is the best love,” Amoah said.
In years past, Amoah has practiced self-love on Valentine's Day by trying out new hobbies, crafting, talking to her friends, and watching her favorite TV shows.
“I do things that I find fun,” Amoah said. “[This year] I’m going to go home and just have the whole day to myself, with just me, myself, and I... I’m going to be cooking myself every single meal.”
For Ting, practicing self-love looks like going to the gym—loving somebody can just as well be your body.
“My body, my temple,” he said. “I try to minimize my cortisol as much as I can and maximize my health.”
Expressing love for one’s friends and family is also popular amongst singles on Valentine’s Day, including Jurcevic, who plans to host a card game night and share sweet treats with her friends this year.
“My family will sometimes give each other flowers or give out cards, or I’ll give cards to my friends,” Jurcevic said.
Ruiz typically shares a home-cooked, multiple-course meal with his family on Valentine’s Day.
“My dad cooks some of the best meals that I’ve ever eaten in my life,” Ruiz said. "Last year, he made garlic chicken with garlic shrimp.”
In the past, Amoah and her friends have exchanged gifts, and this year she plans on sending letters to her friends.
Even though students may practice platonic or self-love on Valentine’s Day, this holiday is marketed towards and celebrated by couples around the world
“There’s a societal norm to be in a relationship on Valentine’s Day,” Jurcevic said.
Ting agrees that being in a relationship on Valentine’s Day is a societal norm and feels the weight that comes with it.
“Sometimes it makes me feel a little lonely, I won’t lie,” Ting said.
Even so, Ting does not feel pressure to be in a relationship on Valentine’s Day.
“[A relationship is] not like something I can’t have, but it’s kind of just something that I don’t have,” Ting said.
Ruiz echoes this notion.
“If love comes, it comes; If it doesn't, it doesn't,” Ruiz said.
Similarly, for Jurcevic, being single on Valentine’s Day has helped her realize that being in a relationship is not a need or a requirement.
“[A relationship is] more of just something that is a supplement to your life,” Jurcevic said.
If you do feel lonely and particularly single on Valentine’s Day, Ruiz recommended that you do things that you enjoy doing.
“Just make yourself happy,” Ruiz said.
“Just love yourself,” Ting added. “That’s the best thing anyone can do for themselves.”
Carly Hunter is a writer for The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at carly.hunter@student.shu.edu.
